We live in a world that constantly pushes us to chase after success, comfort, and security. Society tells us to build our own dreams, secure our own futures, and prioritize our desires. The allure of worldly achievements can be strong—promising status, wealth, and a sense of accomplishment. But in Matthew 6:33, Jesus invites us into a different way of living: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” This statement from Jesus is a radical call to shift our focus from the temporary to the eternal, from earthly pursuits to heavenly priorities, from self-centered goals to God-centered purposes.
To build with a Kingdom mindset is to see everything through the lens of eternity. It’s about making the Kingdom of God our primary pursuit and allowing His will to dictate every decision we make. The early church grasped this concept well—they lived, labored, and sacrificed for the sake of the Kingdom. They weren’t caught up in accumulating earthly wealth or power; they were focused on the Gospel, on reaching the lost, and on living for things that had lasting value. They invested their lives in something greater than themselves—something that would outlast them and continue long after they were gone.
Today, the call to build with a Kingdom mindset is more urgent than ever. We are surrounded by distractions that pull us away from God’s purposes. Yet, God is calling us to refocus, to realign, and to recommit ourselves to His mission. This sermon is a challenge to reexamine our values, to put God’s Kingdom above our own, and to become builders who invest in what will truly last. It’s an invitation to shift from a mindset that is centered on the temporary and move toward a mindset that values the eternal.
1. Seek God’s Kingdom Above All Else
Jesus' command in Matthew 6:33 is not a casual suggestion; it’s a directive that calls for a complete reordering of our priorities. To seek God’s Kingdom above all else means that every part of our lives is surrendered to His lordship—our time, our resources, our relationships, and our goals. It’s about choosing to put God’s desires before our own, trusting that He knows what’s best, and believing that He will provide for our needs when we prioritize His will.
In the early church, seeking God’s Kingdom was not just a theological concept; it was a way of life. They sold their possessions to support those in need, they dedicated themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and they shared everything they had. Their focus was not on building personal empires but on advancing the Kingdom of God. They trusted that if they sought God’s Kingdom, He would take care of them, and He did. God’s provision was evident in their lives, and they lacked nothing because their priority was in the right place.
Today, seeking God’s Kingdom means examining our motives, our pursuits, and our daily choices. Are we truly putting God first, or have we allowed the pressures and demands of the world to take precedence? Are we living in a way that reflects our commitment to God’s priorities, or are we chasing after things that are fleeting and temporary? To build with a Kingdom mindset requires a radical shift in our values—choosing to put God’s purposes above our own, trusting that He will handle the rest.
This doesn’t mean that we ignore our responsibilities or neglect our earthly needs. Instead, it means that we approach those responsibilities with a Kingdom perspective, understanding that our work, our relationships, and our daily routines are opportunities to glorify God and advance His Kingdom. When we seek God’s Kingdom above all else, we are no longer living for ourselves but for Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
2. Build on a Solid Foundation
A building’s strength is determined by the quality of its foundation. Without a solid foundation, even the most impressive structure will crumble when the storms come. Jesus speaks to this truth in Matthew 7:24-27, where He contrasts the wise man who built his house on the rock with the foolish man who built on the sand. The wise man’s house stood firm because it was built on a solid foundation—the teachings of Jesus. For us, building with a Kingdom mindset means establishing our lives on the unchanging, reliable foundation of Jesus Christ and His Word.
The early church was unwavering in their commitment to this foundation. They were not swayed by the opinions of the world or the changing tides of culture; they were rooted in the teachings of Jesus. Their foundation was secure because it was built on the truth of the Gospel, which they believed, preached, and lived. This allowed them to endure intense persecution, hardship, and trials without wavering. They were not concerned with how things appeared on the surface; they cared about what was underneath—their faith in Christ.
In our world today, many people build their lives on unstable foundations—wealth, career success, popularity, or relationships. But these things, while not inherently wrong, are temporary and unreliable. They can shift, change, or even disappear in an instant. To build with a Kingdom mindset is to reject the false security of worldly foundations and to choose instead to stand on the firm ground of God’s truth. This means anchoring our decisions, our values, and our identity in the unchanging Word of God, not in the shifting sands of culture.
Building on a solid foundation also means being willing to dig deep. Just as a builder must excavate and remove what is unstable to lay a secure foundation, we must be willing to let God dig into our lives, removing anything that is not aligned with His will. This process can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary if we want to build something that will last. A Kingdom mindset requires us to do the hard work of laying a foundation that is strong, secure, and based entirely on Christ.
3. Develop a Kingdom Vision
Having a Kingdom mindset involves seeing beyond the here and now—it’s about developing a vision that aligns with God’s eternal purposes. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Vision is not about having a five-year plan or setting personal goals; it’s about understanding what God desires to accomplish and aligning our lives accordingly. A Kingdom vision sees the bigger picture, it looks beyond our own needs and desires, and it seeks to understand how God wants to use us for His glory.
The early church had a vision that was all-encompassing. They didn’t limit their ministry to a single location; they saw the entire world as their mission field. They were driven by a passion to see the Gospel reach the ends of the earth, and they were willing to do whatever it took to make that vision a reality. Their vision was not self-centered; it was God-centered. They wanted to see lives transformed, communities changed, and nations impacted by the power of the Gospel.
For us, developing a Kingdom vision means seeking God’s perspective on our lives and our purpose. It means asking Him to show us what He sees—the needs around us, the opportunities to serve, and the potential for transformation. A Kingdom vision is not limited by what we can accomplish in our own strength; it’s driven by what God can accomplish through us when we surrender to His will. It’s about letting go of our limited perspective and asking God to give us a glimpse of His eternal plans.
A Kingdom vision is also about seeing people the way God sees them. It’s about recognizing the value and potential in every individual, understanding that they are loved by God and created in His image. It’s about seeing beyond their present circumstances and believing that God can bring redemption, healing, and transformation to their lives. To build with a Kingdom mindset, we must allow God’s vision to shape the way we see the world, the way we interact with others, and the way we approach our daily lives.
4. Make Sacrifices for the Kingdom
Building with a Kingdom mindset requires a willingness to make sacrifices. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Sacrifice is at the heart of what it means to follow Jesus. The early church understood this well—they gave up their possessions, their comfort, and even their lives to advance God’s Kingdom. They did not view sacrifice as loss; they saw it as gain because they were investing in something far greater than themselves.
Today, the concept of sacrifice often goes against the grain of our culture. We are encouraged to seek comfort, convenience, and personal fulfillment. But a Kingdom mindset calls us to a different way of living—a way that values eternal rewards over temporary pleasures. To build with a Kingdom mindset, we must be willing to lay down what is convenient, comfortable, or even culturally acceptable to pursue what is pleasing to God. This means giving of our time, our resources, and our energy, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient.
Sacrifice is not just about what we give up; it’s about what we gain. When we choose to invest in God’s Kingdom, we are participating in His work of redemption, restoration, and transformation. We are sowing seeds that will bear fruit long after we are gone. The early church was willing to make sacrifices because they knew that the rewards of following Jesus were far greater than anything the world could offer. They understood that the cost was great, but the eternal impact was worth every sacrifice.
Making sacrifices for the Kingdom means that we must be willing to let go of our own plans, ambitions, and desires. It means prioritizing God’s mission over our own comfort, choosing to give generously, to serve selflessly, and to love sacrificially. A Kingdom mindset values what God values, even when it comes at a personal cost. It’s about embracing the call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus with all that we have, knowing that He is worth it.
5. Walk by Faith, Not by Sight
Building with a Kingdom mindset is not about what we can see; it’s about what we believe. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” The early church embodied this kind of faith—they believed in God’s promises, even when they couldn’t see the outcome. They stepped out in faith, trusting that God would fulfill His Word, and He did. Their faith was not passive; it was active, and it moved them to action, even when the path was uncertain.
Walking by faith means that we don’t rely on our own understanding or our own resources. It means trusting that God’s ways are higher than ours, that His timing is perfect, and that His plans are always good. The early church did not have all the answers, but they had faith in the One who did. They believed that if God called them to step out, He would also provide what they needed along the way. Their faith was not dependent on their circumstances; it was rooted in the character and promises of God.
For us, walking by faith requires that we are willing to step out even when the path is unclear. It means taking risks for the sake of the Kingdom, believing that God will catch us when we leap. It’s about holding on to God’s promises, even when the evidence seems to suggest otherwise. A Kingdom mindset does not play it safe; it is willing to take bold steps of faith, knowing that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think.
Faith is not about ignoring reality; it’s about trusting in a greater reality—God’s reality. It’s about believing that He is at work, even when we can’t see it, and that His promises are true, even when we don’t yet experience them. To build with a Kingdom mindset, we must cultivate a faith that goes beyond what is visible, a faith that trusts God’s Word above our circumstances, and a faith that propels us to act in obedience to His call.
6. Obey God’s Instructions Completely
Obedience is a foundational aspect of building with a Kingdom mindset. In Deuteronomy 28:1, God makes it clear that blessings follow obedience: “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth.” The early church was marked by their obedience to God’s Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. They didn’t follow God’s commands half-heartedly; they followed with complete devotion.
Obeying God’s instructions completely means that we are willing to follow Him even when it doesn’t make sense, even when it goes against our natural inclinations, and even when it challenges the norms of our culture. It means submitting ourselves fully to His will and allowing His Word to shape our decisions, our actions, and our attitudes. The early church understood that partial obedience is disobedience, and they were committed to doing what God asked, regardless of the cost.
For us today, obedience requires surrender. It means that we don’t hold back parts of our lives from God’s authority; we give Him everything. It’s about choosing to follow His instructions, even when it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or inconvenient. It’s about allowing His truth to override our opinions, His wisdom to guide our choices, and His commands to direct our paths. A Kingdom mindset is one that seeks to obey God fully, trusting that His ways are always right and that His plans are for our good.
Obedience is not just about doing the right thing; it’s about cultivating a heart that desires to please God above all else. It’s about a relationship of trust, where we believe that God’s instructions are not meant to hinder us, but to protect us, to guide us, and to lead us into the fullness of His blessings. A Kingdom mindset is marked by a willingness to say, “Yes, Lord,” without hesitation or reservation, knowing that obedience brings us closer to His heart.
7. Leave a Legacy That Lasts
Building with a Kingdom mindset is about more than the present; it’s about leaving a legacy that lasts far beyond our lifetime. Psalm 145:4 tells us, “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.” The early church left a legacy that has endured for thousands of years. They were not concerned with leaving behind monuments to their own achievements; they were focused on leaving a legacy of faith, love, and commitment to God’s Kingdom that would inspire future generations.
To leave a legacy means that we are intentional about the way we live, the choices we make, and the impact we have. It’s about investing in people, discipling the next generation, and passing on the faith in a way that continues to bear fruit long after we are gone. The early church understood that their mission was not just about the here and now; it was about setting the stage for those who would come after them. They knew that the Gospel was bigger than them, and they were willing to build something that would outlast their own lives.
For us, leaving a legacy that lasts means focusing on what truly matters—God’s Kingdom, His Word, and His people. It means living in a way that inspires others to follow Jesus, that encourages others to trust in God, and that points others to the hope of the Gospel. A Kingdom mindset is not content with temporary success; it seeks to build something of eternal significance. It’s about planting seeds of faith, hope, and love that will grow and bear fruit for generations to come.
Leaving a legacy is not about being remembered; it’s about making sure that Jesus is remembered. It’s about pointing people to Him, teaching them to love Him, and preparing them to carry the torch of faith into the future. A Kingdom mindset is focused on what we will leave behind, understanding that our lives are part of a much larger story—God’s story. Let us be a church that builds with a Kingdom mindset, that leaves a legacy of faithfulness, and that impacts the world for Christ long after we are gone.
Closing
Building with a Kingdom mindset is not just a choice; it’s a calling. It’s about investing our lives in what will truly last, seeking God’s Kingdom above all else, and living with a vision that is focused on eternity. It’s about making sacrifices, walking by faith, obeying God’s instructions, and leaving a legacy that honors Him. In a world that is driven by temporary gains and fleeting pleasures, God is calling His church to build on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, to seek His will, and to be part of His eternal Kingdom work.
Today, the Spirit of God is inviting you to align your life with His purposes. If you have never made the decision to follow Jesus, He is calling you to be part of His Kingdom, to build your life on the solid foundation of His love, and to experience the joy of knowing Him. He is inviting you to exchange the temporary for the eternal, the fleeting for the lasting, and the superficial for the profound.
For those who have already said yes to Jesus, this is a call to go deeper. It’s a call to examine your priorities, to align your vision with God’s heart, and to commit yourself fully to His mission. It’s a call to be a builder in God’s Kingdom, to make sacrifices for His glory, and to leave a legacy that points others to Him. If you are searching for a church that values a Kingdom mindset and is committed to God’s purposes, our doors are open. We are a church that seeks to build with eternity in mind, and we would love to have you join us.
And if you are in need of prayer—if you are seeking God’s guidance, if you are struggling to prioritize His Kingdom, if you desire to build your life on a solid foundation—come and let us pray with you. God is here, and He is ready to meet you where you are. The Spirit of the Lord is calling you to build with a Kingdom mindset. Don’t miss this moment to respond. Come to Jesus, come to the altar, and come to the place where God’s purposes become your priority. Amen.
